Free Character Witness by Rebecca Forster Page A

Kelley was about to pronounce a mistrial the courtroom door banged open. The bailiff's hand was on the butt of her gun, her attention arrested by the commotion caused by the two women who hurried in.
    The one in the brown suit figured it out first. They had not exactly been subtle and court was in session. She stopped and checked out the people checking her out. Her eyes rested on the judge and she blushed. He raised a brow. The nip and tuck of her suit conjured up visions of The Thin Man , long cigarette holders and longer legs; black and white nights where the curtains were drawn and everything was left to the imagination. Kelley should have held himself in contempt because he could see the lady in brown was only concerned with the lateness of the hour.
    She stumbled then righted herself. She mouthed 'sorry' before resuming her step and giving the woman behind her an opening. When he got an eyeful of that one Kelley had a few other thoughts about contempt. The lady was resplendent in turquoise. Her dress ended just south of the flattest rear end he'd ever seen and stretched across the most amazing set of hooters to cross his threshold. Her hair was teased up into a shape that reminded him of a mushroom cloud. Her lips shimmered deathly white, lined with a color he could only describe as clay. She seemed to be pushing the other woman forward but the blond in brown pushed back slightly. She glanced over her shoulder with barely hidden disdain and came up the aisle like she was headed to a wedding - with a shotgun at her back.
    '' Ladies. You have arrived.'' Kelley retrieved his smile. After all those months in front of the cameras, little could faze him. He turned to the lady with the briefcase.
    '' Kathleen Cotter? Counsel for,'' he consulted his notes, ''Louise Booker, ex-wife of the deceased?''
    Louise moved as if she would speak, but it was Kathleen who got the words out first. After all these weeks she'd learned to talk fast.
    '' Yes, Your Honor.'' The judge smiled at the sound of her voice. She would never have made it in talkies but in a place like this where strident was the norm her inflection was a welcome change. ''I apologize to the court for our lateness. I'm new to the area
    '' And I assume, madam, that you are Louise Booker?'' Kelley pinned Louise with a graceful turn of his head. This wasn't grammar school, he didn't want an excuse. Kathleen caught Louise out of the corner of her eye. Louise was radiating toward the bench. Kathleen prayed she wouldn't wink.
    '' You got it, judge.'' They pushed through the bar as one unit, Louise scooting tightly after Kathleen.
    '' We apologize, Your Honor. Kathleen Cotter for Louise Booker, for the record.''
    Kelley referred back to his papers. He let his eyes slide toward Louise once more as if to make sure she did indeed exist.
    '' Kathleen didn't want to pay five dollars an hour for parking, judge,'' Louise piped in, taking his eye contact to mean he'd like her input. ''She's new in town so cut her some slack.''
    Kelley raised a brow and digested that incredible piece of information. ''Let the record so reflect that Ms. Cotter is the attorney of record. You may strike the editorial on our parking fees.''
    With that, the proceedings began.
    The lawyers took their seats; Kathleen after her two opponents. With a sidelong glance she checked them out. Expensive clothes and briefcases. That was odd since Lionel Booker's estate was not wealthy. Interesting it had such a classy advocate. The two looked right back at her, arrogantly composed.
    Kathleen took a deep breath, focused on the judge and prayed she could dispose of this matter quickly, erase whatever sense of duty she felt toward Gerry and run for the hills before he found some other oddball client to throw at her. At this rate she'd make a name for herself in the Los Angeles legal community, but it wouldn't be the one she'd hoped for.
    '' Mr. Morton, we'll start with you, if you please.''
    Morton obliged. His suit was